Tips for Living with Roommates Part 1

Two young men are walking down a concrete pathway while moving in to dorms. The young man on the left is wearing a pink tee shirt, black shorts, backwards black baseball hat, and white shoes. He is also carrying a large cardboard box with red tape on the sides. The young man on the right is wearing a black tee shirt, grey shorts, and black shoes while carrying two large blue duffel bags. There are people in pink shirts in the background along with grass to the left and a fire hydrant on the grass. A tree branch hangs over the two men's heads.
September 01, 2023
Becky Doyle, Admission Counselor

Another Move-In Weekend has come and gone for our new incoming students and for some this may be their first time sharing a room! While it may take time to get comfortable rooming with a new person, there are a few things that all roommates can do to help make the transition to college living seamless. Here are some tips to make living with a roommate on campus a positive and fun experience!

 

Communication is Key!

The first step toward developing a good relationship with your roommate is being able to have some honest conversations. Be open and honest regarding living habits so you and your roommate can start to find similarities or compromises that need to be made in your living arrangement. Communication is key to creating harmony with your roommate!

Guest Policy

Do you want the dorm room to be a social hub? Do you value your alone time? How early or late would you prefer guests to be over? When do you need a quiet study space without guests? These are all great questions to ask when determining a good guest policy that both you and your roommate are comfortable with.

Cleanliness

Setting expectations for cleanliness in your dorm room can make all the difference for roommates. This might even include working out a chore chart between you and your roommate. When you chat about cleanliness beforehand, roommates can better avoid conflict later down the road.

Early Birds vs. Night Owls

Everyone has different sleep schedules in college. Some students enjoy late nights up studying while others may like to wake up early to get a morning workout in. Make sure to have this chat so you can be considerate of your roommate’s sleep and study schedules throughout the semester.

Sharing Spaces & Items

Are you open to sharing clothes? Is the mini fridge communal? Am I allowed to borrow your toothpaste when I run out? Whether you are all about sharing or prefer to keep things for yourself, make sure to communicate this with your roommate and set expectations for what is communal and what is not.

Respecting Boundaries

Once you have these conversations and establish boundaries, you should be set up for success living together! You can now work on respecting one another’s boundaries and preferences in your dorm for the rest of the year.

Get to Know Each Other!

During your first semester on campus, take time to get to know your roommate! Make sure to schedule quality time together. This could be as simple as having breakfast together at the COG before class or even going for an evening walk around campus. The first semester can go by quickly so take time to build a bond with your roommate that can last throughout college and beyond!

  

Curious about our housing options or living on campus? Visit our Housing and Residence Life Office's website below.:

 

Housing & Residence Life